Stabilizing means for multiple spindle drive

ABSTRACT

The oscillator plate of a gearless multiple spindle drive head is constrained in its non-rotative circular translatory motion by parallel motion linkages at each of difference sides of the oscillator plate with the driving connection to the plate being at the center of the plate.

United States Patent [191 Zagar 1 STABXLIZING MEANS FOR MULTIPLE SPINDLE DRIVE 12/1949 Svensson 74/63v 1 June 4, 1974 2,552,038 5/1951 Etzler 74/63 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 19,783 0/1893 Great Britain 408/47 Primary Examiner-Leonard H. Gerin Assistant Examiner-Wesley S. Ratliff, Jr.

Attorney, Agent, or FirmMcNenny, Farrington, Pearne & Gordon [57] ABSTRACT The oscillator plate of a gearless multiple spindle drive head is constrained in its non-rotative circular translatory motion by parallel motion linkages at each of difference sides of the oscillator plate with the driving connection to the plate being at the center of the plate.

3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 'III(JIIIIIIIIIIQ r llllllrllll jl I g I I I STABILIZING MEANS FOR MULTIPLE SPINDLE DRIVE The invention relates to gearless multiple spindle drive heads. In potential applications for such heads, satisfactory stabilization of the oscillatory rotation of the oscillator plate (drive plate) has not heretofore been achievable, and without such stabilization the heads are unusable because of breakage, wear, inaccuracy and generally ineffective operation attendant on an unstabilized vibrating condition of the head. The invention specifically relates to an improved way of accomplishing stabilization which enables heretofore potential but impractical applications of gearless multiple spindle drive heads to be realized.

Systems for stabilization of gearless multiple spindle drive heads have previously employed idler cranks such as the cranks 70 in Zagar U.S. Pat. No. 3,279,268 or special housing-carried bearing arrangements such as the bearings 51 and 54 in Ludwig U.S. Pat. No. 3,559,495. However the former are effective only with a fairly regular shape of oscillator, and the latter are suitable only for generally cylindrical oscillator plates. An effective stabilizer system suitable for elongated or irregular oscillator plates has not been available. The invention provides such a stabilizer.

The invention employs parallel-motion idler linkages. The use of a parallel-motion idler linkage in a multiple spindle drive head is known, as in Pomeroy U.S. Pat. No. 3,637,317, but only in association with one side of an oscillator plate in complementary relation to a drive crank connected to the other side of the oscillator plate.

The present invention contemplates the provision of at least two parallel-motion idler linkages which act in complementary relation to each other, with the drive crank located at the center of gravity of the oscillator plate. The dynamics of such a system has been found to be such that very superior stabilizing is achieved as compared to idler stabilizers of the prior art, particularly with respect to elongated or irregular oscillator plates, although the invention may be advantageous with respect to more regular shapes as well.

It is not clear why distribution of parallel motion linkage idler stabilizers at different sides of an oscillator plate driven at its center of gravity should give superior stabilizing action as compared to the distribution of conventional idler stabilizers since pairs of such conventional stabilizers when considered together with the oscillator plate and the fixed frame or housing constitute parallelograms which constrain the oscillator plate to rectilinear non-rotational motion. While from a standpoint of kinetic analysis, the provision of the parallel-motion linkage is believed to introduce neither any added degree of freedom nor any added degree of restraint, it would seem that the introduction of added opportunities for mechanical play at the additional joints or pivots involved in the parallel-motion linkages would tend, if anything, to relax if only very slightly the mechanical restraints on the oscillator plate and therefore degrade any stabilizing action. However, as indicated in the foregoing, parallel-motion linkages distributed at different sides of the oscillator plate do achieve a superior stabilizing action, even through this seems inconsistent with the lowered restraints just referred to.

In the drawings, FIG. 1 is a sectional plan view of a multiple spindle drive head embodying .the invention.

plates of unusual shape together with associated paral lel motion linkages.

The multiple spindle drive head shown in FIGS. 1-4 comprises a housing 10 provided with a lower housing plate and containing an oscillator'plate. As illustrated, the oscillator plate is driven in non-rotative circular translatory motion relative to the housing and surrounding space by a drive crank 14 powered via the drive crank shank l5. Suitable bearing members are provided as shown to support the drive crank shank and to interconnect the drive crank and the oscillator plate.

The oscillator plate drives multiple spindles which in the illustrated apparatus happen to be arranged in single file along the length of the oscillator plate 12 which has an elongated form. As in prior multiple spindle drive heads, each of the driven spindles has its own small crank at its input end which has the same throw as the drive crank.

The elongated oscillator plate 12 is provided at each end with an oscillator thrust plate 19 which is fixed to and moves with the oscillator plate 12. On the inside of the housing corresponding stationary thrust plates 21 are provided. The oscillator thrust plates 19 slide under the stationary thrust plates 21 in thrust transmitting relationship therewith during operation of the drive head under load.

The driving connection between the drive crank 14 and the oscillator plate 12 is at the center of gravity of the oscillator plate. Two parallel-motion linkages 23 are provided, one at each side of the oscillator plate 12. Stationary pivots for the parallel-motion linkages are provided within the stationary blocks 24 which are appropriately slotted and drilled as shown.

It will be noted that the complementary plurality of stabilizers in the invention, comprising as they do the parallel-motion linkages 23, introduce additional joints or pivots between the oscillator plate and the fixed housing, as compared to stabilizers of the prior art that have been used in complementary relation, such as the idlers in U.S. Pat. No. 3,279,268. Nevertheless the complementary linkages 23 provide a superior stabilizing action despite the added opportunities for mechanical play implied by such introduction of additional joints.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrated an oscillator plate 12a of elongated irregular shape provided with three parallel-motion linkages 23a at different sides of the oscillator plate and are tied to stationary parts of the frame 10a, as shown. The drive crank 14a is at the center of gravity of the oscillator plate and is powered by the drive crank shank 15a. A number of spindles 17a driven by the oscillator plate are also illustrated in the sketch.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a triangular oscillator plate 12b. The two parallel-motion linkages 23b are provided at different sides of the oscillator plate and are tied to fixed portions of the housing b. The drive crank 14b is at the center of gravity of the oscillator plate and is powered by the drive crank shank 15b. The sketch also illustrates a number of spindles 17b driven by the oscillator plate.

The invention is not restricted to the slavish imitation of each and every one of the details described above which have been set forth merely by way of example with the intent of most clearly setting forth the teaching of the invention. Obviously devices may be provided which change, eliminate or add certain specific structural details without departing from the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A stabilizing system for the oscillator plate of a multiple spindle drive head which includes a housing, means for mounting said oscillator plate in the housing for non-rotative circular translatory motion relative to the housing and surrounding space, and a drive crank for the oscillator plate, characterized by the provision of at least two parallel motion linkages connected to and supporting the oscillator plate in the housing, one at each of different sides of the oscillator plate, the driving connection between the drive crank and the oscillator plate being located at the center of the plate between the sides thereof and at the center of gravity of the plate.

2. A gearless multiple spindle drive head including a housing, a drive crank, an oscillator plate driven by the drive crank, means mounting the oscillator plate in the housing for non-rotative circular translatory motion relative to the housing and surrounding space, the radii of the circular paths of translation of points on the oscillator plate being the same as the throw radius'of the drive crank, the oscillator plate being adapted to drivingly engage a plurality of driven cranks each having the same throw as the drive crank, characterized by the provision of at least two parallel-motion linkages connected to and supporting the oscillator plate in the housing, one at each different sides of the oscillator plate, the driving connection between the drive crank and the oscillator plate being located at the center of the plate between the sides thereof and at the center of gravity of the plate.

3. A gearless multiple spindle drive head including a housing, a drive crank, an oscillator plate driven by the drive crank, means mounting the oscillator plate in the housing for non-rotative circular translatory motion relative to the housing and surrounding space, the radii of the circular paths of translation of points on the oscillator plate being the same as the throw radius of the drive crank, a plurality of driven cranks each having the same throw as the drive crank and each being drivingly engaged by the oscillator plate, characterized by the provision of at least two parallel-motion linkages connected to and supporting the oscillator plate in the housing, one at each of different sides of the oscillator plate, the driving connection between the drive crank and the oscillator plate being located at the center of the plate between the sides thereof and at the center of gravity of the plate. 

1. A stabilizing system for the oscillator plate of a multiple spindle drive head which includes a housing, means for mounting said oscillator plate in the housing for non-rotative circular translatory motion relative to the housing and surrounding space, and a drive crank for the oscillator plate, characterized by the provision of at least two parallel motion linkages connected to and supporting the oscillator plate in the housing, one at each of different sides of the oscillator plate, the driving connection between the drive crank and the oscillator plate being located at the center of the plate between the sides thereof and at the center of gravity of the plate.
 2. A gearless multiple spindle drive head including a housing, a drive crank, an oscillator plate driven by the drive crank, means mounting the oscillator plate in the housing for non-rotative circular translatory motion relative to the housing and surrounding space, the radii of the circular paths of translation of points on the oscillator plate being the same as the throw radius of the drive crank, the oscillator plate being adapted to drivingly engage a plurality of driven cranks each having the same throw as the drive crank, characterized by the provision of at least two parallel-motion linkages connected to and supporting the oscillator plate in the housing, one at each different sides of the oscillator plate, the driving connection between the drive crank and the oscillator plate being located at the center of the plate between the sides thereof and at the center of gravity of the plate.
 3. A gearless multiple spindle drive head including a housing, a drive crank, an oscillator plate driven by the drive crank, means mounting the oscillator plate in the housing for non-rotative circular translatory motion relative to the housing and surrounding space, the radii of the circular paths of translation of points on the oscillator plate being the same as the throw radius of the drive crank, a plurality of driven cranks each having the same throw as the drive crank and each being drivingly engaged by the oscillator plate, characterized by the provision of at least two parallel-motion linkages connected to and supporting the oscillator plate in the housing, one at each of different sides of the oscillator plate, the driving connection between the drive crank and the oscillator plate being located at the center of the plate between the sides thereof and at the center of gravity of the plate. 